Imagine the horror of watching your child get injured right before your eyes.
That’s exactly what happened to Laura Jeacock and her 6-year-old son, Kenzie, at their local Coles store in Lara, Victoria.
A Nightmarish Scene Unfolds
Laura was shopping for Christmas groceries with her four kids on Wednesday night when she heard a commotion at the self-checkout gates. “They literally just shut on him without warning,” she recalled. The corner of the glass door hit Kenzie just above his eye, leaving him with a nasty gash.
A Quick-Thinking Good Samaritan Saves the Day
While Coles staff allegedly watched on, a fellow customer who was a teacher stepped in to help stop the bleeding. What’s more shocking is that the staff member, who was supposedly medically trained, had to Google what to do. “It was pretty shocking,” Laura said.
Coles Claims Security Gates Operated Correctly
After reviewing CCTV footage, Coles staff told Laura that someone had come to inspect the gates and found they had operated correctly. However, Laura disputes this, claiming that staff told her there are no sensors in the security gates to prevent them from shutting on customers.
The Controversy Surrounding Coles’ Security Gates
This isn’t the first time Coles’ security gates have been in the spotlight. Last year, the supermarket chain introduced the technology to combat rising shoplifting rates. While they’re designed to automatically open as customers make payments, they’ve faced criticism from customers. In fact, one shopper expressed concerns about their safety last year.
Are Coles’ Security Gates Safe Enough?
Coles insists that the gates operate correctly and meet Australian standards. They’ve even checked in on Kenzie to ensure he’s recovering well. However, Laura’s incident raises questions about the safety of these security measures. As she puts it, “What happens next? The next injury could be worse… it’s not good enough.”